Railroad crossing and switch construction



June 8,1943. v. TTTTT os 2,321,436

OSS CONSTRUCT O June 8; 1943. v. THEoDos 2,321,436

RAILROAD CROSSING AND SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed sept. so, 1240r 2 sheets-sheet 2 Mmmm INVENToR 4 l/ane/ Theodos 4l BY S z E ATTORNEYS Patented June 8, 1943 UNHTED RAILROAD CROSSING AND SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Vangel Theodos, San Francisco, Calif.

Appiicatien September 30, 1940, Serial-No. 359,009

7 Claims.

This invention relates to railway crossings, switches and the like, and has for one of its objects improved construction providing for quick replacement of parts where there is eX- cessive wear without disturbing the main elements that are secured to ties and without necessitating the digging away of pavement or the street surface in those cases where the rails and crossings are seated in pavements. Another object of the invention is improved means for securing means for securing wearing blocks in crossings, etc., in which the blocks are secured against any possibility of shifting or loosening, and against unequal strain and in'which the means employed for securing the blocks in place are fully protected against injury from water, rust, and which means is not readily accessible to unauthorized persons for removal thereof.

Another object is an improved crossing that is more solid and less susceptible to injury than heretofore, and which can be quickly and accurately installed by relative inexperienced labor.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a complete crossing showing my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one of the crossing points of the crossing shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3i is a sectional view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken along the ll--Ll of Fig. l. Y

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line -S of Fig. 3, through the block just above the bolt heads.

Briey described, the present invention relates, in general, to structure similar to that shown in my United States Letters Patent No. 1,979,583, dated November 6, 1934, and No. 2,231,232, dated February l1, 1941, in that the invention relates to structure' incorporating a wearing block that is replaceable. In the above disclosures, I have employed pins to hold the blocks in place at crossing intersections or switch points, which pins are positioned to extend angularly through the upper corners of the-'blocks and through the side walls of the recesses in which the blocks are disposed. Thus the blocks were' virtually toenailed in place. This structure is satisfactory in rmly securing the wearing blocks in position, but where the crossings or switches are imbedded in the pavement, it is necessary to dig away the pavement to remove the. holding pins, with the result' that .the pavement must .be repaired. Also,

in some instances the pins are accessible to being tampered with by unauthorized persons.

Heretofore various attempts have been made t'o use bolts, either horizontal or vertical, to se- Y cure removable blocks in place at intersections or switch points. TheY use of horizontal bolts again requires digging up the pavement to eiect replacement, and in any even-t, the usev of such bolts has not been eiective for holding the blocks sufliciently rigid in their recesses. lThev use of vertical bolts, where stud bolts are used, has been proven of little value since the threads are formed in the castings supporting the blocks, and these deteriorate rapidly, thus requiring replacement of the block receiving castings, with the result that the main purpose o f the invention is defeated.

Inmy invention, vvert-icalbolts are used, and the block receiving castings are formed so that the bolts may be positioned for replacement from within the block receiving cavity, thus eliminating all necessity for destroying the pavement to effect replacement of the wearing blocks, and furthermore, I use bolts carrying nuts to eiect securement of the blocks in place, thus eliminating threads ,in the blocks or block receiving castings, and making it a simple and cheap matter to replace the bolts and Ynuts with the blocks. l In Fig. 1 I show a crossing including the four crossing points, indiceattedv A, B, C, D. This crossing `is one in which the pairs of rails cross each other at about a 259 angle, thus forming two frogs at each of the four intersections. In twoway traflicv on each pair of rails, the pairs of frogs at crossings B and C' receive excessive wear, while only one oftheA frogs at crossings A and D? receive such'A Wear. In a switch, there is, ofcourse, one fixed frog and a movable frog tongue, while in right angle crossings, as in the aforementioned patenti-the wear occurs at the adjacent ends of theI rig-ht angle rails at each crossing point` that, ina way, corresponds to the frogs in` Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, there arev Vfour main castings, generally designated lj, each of -w-hch carries four arms -2 integral therewith, two of the arms on each casting substantially abutting at their ends the two ends of a pair of arms on one Yof the other crossings to form fourequahy spaced crossing points. Eachy of theseV arms corresponds, in structure, to the splice bar disclosed in my United States Patent No. 2,151,361, dated March 21, 1939, andas ind-icatedinFigs. 4, 5 herein.v

The substantially adjoining arms that extend toward each other from thel castings l receive rails 3 that extend the full distance between castings I, and across the adjoining ends of the arms. The rails 3 are bolted to said arms, the latter thus constituting, in effect, sh plates that are integral with the castings. The arms that project outwardly from the crossing receive the ends of the rails that continue outwardly from said crossing, and to which arms, said ends are bolted. It is to be noted that the rails 3, and also the outwardly continuing rail sections, are secured against the opposedly facing sides of corresponding pairs of arms.

Castings I .are each formed with a generally rectangular, upwardly opening recessthat extends substantially between the adjacent ends of the arms 2 at each crossing point, and a base plate 4, preferably of rolled sheet steel, extends below each casting and under the adjacent ends of arms 2 at opposite sides of each, casting. Plates 4 are welded to the castings so as to be substantially integral therewith. n

The recess in each casting has side walls 5 and end walls 6 (Figs. 2, 3), which walls are of appreciably greater thickness at their lower portions that extend upwardly from the bottom l of the recess, thenat their uppermost margins, and a horizontal shoulder 'I' is thus formed around the inner sides of the recess at the juncture between the lower portions and uppermost margins. The inner surfaces of said vmargins are substantially vertical, while the inner surfaces of the lower portions of said walls taper inwardly from said shoulders. The thickened lower portions of said walls are preferably cored out at 8 (Fig. 3) to lighten the casting and to save metal. Y

Within the above described recess in each casting I is an inner casting generally designated 9, which inner casting is formed with a horizontal ilange I Il around its upper edge that restsl directly on the horizontal shoulder in the outer castingvl supporting the upper side of theinner casting flush with the upper edges of the side and end Walls of the main outer casting. This flange II) is provided with a plurality of ears II projecting outwardly therefrom, and the side wallsof the recess in the casting I are recessed to receive these ears. The shoulderportion 1 of the outer casting is thickened below said ears as at I2 (Fig. 3) which thickenedpart is formed with a horizontally extending slot I3 `opening at one end-into the cavity in which the inner casting 9 is received.v The upper side of each slot opens upwardly through the upwardly facing surface of the shoulder on which the flange Il) and ears II are supported. Each slot I3 is restricted in width along its upper edge, to pass the shank I4 of a bolt, and the enlarged lower portion of the slot slidably receives the` polygonal-sided head I5 of such bolt. Thus the .bolt is held against turning by the sides. of the enlarged portion of the slot I3, as shown in Fig. 6.

The ange I0 at each of the ears Il is vertically apertured to pass the shank I4 of each bolt when the inner casting 9,is dropped into place in the outer casting I. The upper end I6 of each of said apertures is enlarged to receive nut I'I of bolt I4, and to enable; a tap-wrench to be used for tightening the nut.

It is to be noted that when.. the inner casting 9 is in position in the recess inv outer casting I, the correspondingly tapered sidesV of the inner and outer castingsare spaced` apart, and also bottomI 'I of the outercastingand bottom IB of the` inner casting arev also spaced apart.Y The outer edges of flange I0 and the edges of ears II adjacent the upper sides of the inner and outer castings are substantially together, but the outer edges of the flange and ears preferably taper slightly inwardly from their upper sides toward their lower sides, thus providing a space around flange and ears between the outer casting, and said flange and ears. The flange I0 is vertically cut away at its outer edge at spaced points, to provide openings I9 for molten babbitt or the like to be poured into the spaces between the inner and outer castings, and horizontal passageways 20 (Fig. 3) in the lower sides of flange at the lower ends of openings I9, communicate between the opposed slanted walls of the inner and outer castings and the space between the flange I0 and outer casting, to permit the molten metal to freely ow to between bottoms '1, I8, as well as filling the space between said opposed slanted walls.

After the babbitt 20 fills the spaces between the inner and outer castings, and nuts I1 are tightened on bolts I4 to securely clamp the flange I9 tight against shoulder 1', the molten babbitt 2| or the like is poured into the enlarged upper ends of the apertures in flange I0 to cover nuts I1. The upper edge of each of said apertures is cut away to receive a plate22 which plate is welded at its edges to casting 9, thus completely sealing the nuts II against the elements and against being tampered with, until the plates 22 are removed and the babbitt 2| melted away.

This inner casting 9 is, in turn, formed with an upwardly opening recess substantially identical in structure with the recess receiving said inner casting 9. Within the recess in said inner casting is fitted the wearing block 23. A shoulder 24 supports the flange 25 of block 23 directly thereon, and the portion forming said shoulder is thickened below ears 26 on said block for forming slots 2l that receive heads 28 on shanks 29 of the block retaining bolts. The'ears 26 t in corresponding recesses in inner casting 9 and the flange 25 at each of the ears 26 is apertured to pass one of the shanks 29 of the block securing bolts. The upper end of each of such apertures is enlargedto receive nut 30'on each shank 29, which recess is filled with babbitt and then covered by a cover plate 3I that is welded in place in the same manner as described with respect to plates 22. The adjacent sides ofA the block 23 and the inner casting are correspondingly tapered below flange 25 and bottom I8 of the inner casting is spaced from bottoms 32 of the block 23 so that babbitt 33 may be poured into the space between the bottoms and sides of the block and corresponding walls of the inner casting 9. Pouring openings 34 are formed in the inner casting 9 around the substantially adjoining edges of the flange 25 and the inner casting andV horizontal passages 35 communicate between the lower ends of said openings and the opposed tapered sides of the block 23 and said inner casting, all in the samemanner as provided for with respect to the inner and outer castings 9, I respectively.

The upwardly facing sides of the outer casting I, inner casting 9 and block 23 are cross grooved as at 36 for providing the grooves to receive the wheel iianges on car wheels passing over the castings and block 23. These grooves meet at their crossing point on the block 23, and in the case of crossing A (Fig. 1) one only of the frogs 3l (Fig. 2) is formed on the block 23, while on the remaining crossings B, C, D, both' frogs 31,.

2,3a1,4ac1

are formed. on block 23. The reason for this is that at crossing pointA, only the frog 35i receives any wear as the wear is taken at points 33 at v opposite sides of the intersecting points of grooves 36, while in the crossing points B,C, both frogs 3.1l receive wear from the wheel treads.` Crossing D may, of course, correspond to` crossing A. i

It is apparent from the above described cnstruction, that by the use of an acetylene torch, the caps or cover plates 22, 3| may be readil-y removed and the babbitt around nuts i1, 30 removed to facilitate-access to said nuts, thus enabling removal of the inner casting 9 or the block 23, without disturbing the pavement or main casting I-. v

Also, when the crossing blocks, including the inner castings, are in place, the bol-ts and nuts that clamp the blocks and inner castings in place are fully concealed and cannot be tampered with readily, nor can moisture, etc., gain access thereto.

While the above specic description relates to a crossing of the type wheie the rails meet obliquely, the same construction is applicable to right angle crossings and to a switch frog and block mounting the same, as shown in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,231,232, dated February 11, 1941, each of which shows block supported by flange and shoulder construction as here disclosed.

It might be added, that the removal of the wearing block or inner casting is readily accomplished, in the event of a tendency of the same to stick in place, by the application of heat from a blow torch to the block or casting, adjacent its ends, until the babbitt melts, when application of water to the heated block or casting at the iunctures of said block or casting, with each other or with the outer casting, will readily loosen the block or inner Casting so it can be lifted out with the use of pry bars in openings I9 or 34.

It is highly important that the outer casting l, in the form shown, extend beyond both of the frogs or along an appreciable length of switch frogs, and while the frogs on crossings of the type shown herein may be formed on the inner castings 9, it is preferable to form one or both frogs on a separate block, since these frogs are of special hardened steel that is relatively expensive.

The claims relating generally to track intersection structure without qualification, are intended to include intersections at switches or crossings, and are also intended to cover the construction for holding inner casting 9 in the main outer casting since it is obvious that the wearing block 23 is carried on the inner casting 9.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A track intersection structure comprising a main outer casting formed with an upwardly opening recess therein having lateral sides and a bottom; an inner casting fitted Within said recess; means removably securing said inner casting in said recess; said inner casting being formed with an upwardly opening recess therein; a block removably fitted within said last mentioned recess; means removably securing said block in said last mentioned recess; the upwardly facing sides of said outer and inner castings and said block being substantially flush and respectively formed with aligned grooves providing continuing Wheel tread supporting surfaces at one of the sides thereof respectively; said grooves intersecting at a point on said block whereby a frog is formed on said block; the means respectively securing said inner casting: inthe recess'in said outer cast ing and `securing saidblock in the lrecess in said, inner casting comprising bolts: respectively. carri'edl by said inner casting and said. outer casting, and slots formed in said inner casting and inA saidl outer casting supporting the bolts carried by said inner casting and. said outer casting vertically for lateral movement-into the said recess in said inner casting and into the said recess in said outer castingy respectively.

2. In. a construction as defined inv claim l, the slots in said inner casting opening at one of their ends into the recess therein and closed by. one of the side walls of said inner casting at their opposite ends, and the said blockclosing the open ends of said slots when tted inthe recess in said innerl casting thereby closing the open ends of said slotsto removal of the boltsvinto the recess in said inner casting.

3. A track intersection structure including: a

n main casting formed with a substantially rectangular, upwardly opening recess therein having lateral sides and a bottom; said sides being formed to provide an upwardly facing shoulder; a block removably fitted in said recess having a ange supported on said shoulder; upwardly opening horizontal slots formed in said shoulder, opening into said recess at one of their ends; the sides of each of said slots being restricted adjacent its upwardly directed slot opening; a vertical bolt slidably supported in said slot for movement horizontally in said slot and having a head engaging below the said restricted portion thereof; vertical openings formed in said flange passing said bolts; the upper end of each of said openings being enlarged and a nut on the upper end of each of said bolts in the enlarged upper end of said openingclamping said flange against said shoulder; closure plates secured to said block closing the upper end of said openings and extending over said bolts and said nuts, and the upwardly facingside of vsaid block and casting being formed with a wheel flange receiving groove providing a wheel tread supporting surface at one side thereof.

4. In a construction as dened in claim 3, said block closing the ends of said slots that open into said recess and the opposite ends of said slots being closed by the side walls of said casting whereby said bolts are secured against removal from said slots until after said block is removed from said recess. r

5. In a construction as defined in claim 3, the said enlarged upper end of each of said openings being filled with metal of a relatively low melting point surrounding said nuts; the upper edge of each of said openings being recessed, each of the said plates being tted at its edges in said recess in a position with its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of said block and welded at its edges to said block.

6. A track intersection structure including: a main casting formed with a substantially rectangular, upwardly opening recess therein having lateral sides and a bottom; said sides being inwardly offset to provide an upwardly facing shoulder; a block removably fitted in said recess having a flange supported on said shoulder; an upwardly opening horizontal slot formed in said shoulder opening into said recess at one of its ends; the sides of said slot being restricted adjacent its upwardly directed slot opening; a vertical bolt slidably supported in said slot for movement horizontally of said slot and having a head engaging below the said restricted portion thereof a'verticalV opening formed in said flange passing said bolt; the upper end of said opening being enlarged and a nut on the upper end of said bolt in the enlarged upper end of said opening clamping said iiange against said shoulder; said block closing the end of said slot that opens into said recess and the opposite end of Y said slot being closed by the side Wall of `said castingl whereby said bolt is secured against removalfrom said slot only after said block is removed from said recess; and the upwardly facing side of said block and casting being formed with a Wheel flange receiving groove providing a Wheel tread supporting surface at one side thereof. i

7 A track intersection structure including: a main casting formed with a central, upwardly opening recess therein; two; opposite lateral sides of said recess being inwardly offset to provide upwardly facing shoulders at said sides; said shoulders being formed with horizontal passage- Ways each having the upper side thereof longitudinally slotted and each of said passageways and slots opening at one of their ends into said recess; a block removably tted into said recess and havinganges; the `body of said block being disposed across said open ends of said passageways and slots, and flanges integral with said block extending over said shoulders and over said slots; saidilanges being formed with bolt openings disposed over said slots, and bolts extending through said openings and slots, said bolts having their heads disposed in said passageways and secured therein by the marginal portions of said slots and by the said body of said block, whereby upon removal of said block from said recess the said bolts may be slipped intosaid recess for replacement by new bolts.

s VANGEL THEODOS. 

